Typology of Decision-Making Patterns Measured by the Iowa Gambling Task in Japanese Juvenile Delinquents

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

a) Objectives: The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) is a neuropsychological test developed to measure decision-making function in patients with frontal lobe injuries and has also been applied to measure decision-making function in diverse populations with problem behaviors. IGT consists of 100 trials divided into five blocks. The five blocks' Net Scores (the number of choices from the advantageous decks minus the number of choices from the disadvantageous decks) are used to evaluate IGT results. Previous studies have shown some heterogeneous patterns in the Net Scores in healthy adolescents. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has examined whether heterogeneous patterns exist in the Net Scores of juvenile delinquents. b) Data/Method: We examined the Net Scores of 93 delinquents in a Japanese juvenile classification home using a mixed growth model and latent class growth analysis. c) Results: The delinquents seem to be in two classes, one whose Net Score increased and the other with the Net Score stayed around 0. d) Discussion: We discussed these results in terms of their likelihood of repeating delinquent behaviors.

Authors

• Maki Tojo, Hyogo University of Teacher's Education

• Yoshikazu Yuma, Hyogo University of Teacher Education

• Yuichiro Kanazawa, International Christian University

• Yuki Shinzaki, Tokyo-Nishi Juvenile Classification Home

• Nakaomi Baba, Kakogawa Juvenile Training School

• Tetsuo Kawahara, Saitama Institute Technology

• Ayaka Ogihara, Hyogo University of Teacher Education